“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Jesus tells us that one of the “signs” His coming is-

– an increase in false prophets.

That is surely true in our day.

We hear about the Health and Wealth Gospel or Prosperity Theology-

– and the thousands of preachers saying you give to God in order to get.

Or, if you really pray hard enough-

God will heal your disease.

Give money to this or that ministry and you’ll get rich.

It’s this false idea that God won’t let you suffer and wants you to be rich.

It really should be called The Gospel of Greed.

It is false teaching that has permeated the church.

It’s taking a certain passage of scripture and building your whole life around it-

– while ignoring all other kinds of passages that give us the full picture of God’s truth.

So, how can you keep from being deceived by a false prophet or leader?

The key is in knowing Jesus and His Word.

Then ask the question:

Is what this person saying consistent with Jesus and His Word?

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).

If you are a Christian-

– you have an added bonus:

The Holy Spirit that dwells in you teaches you how to understand the Word-

– and gives you a check in your spirit when something doesn’t ring true.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8.

Legalism, in Christian theology, is a term referring to an over-emphasis on discipline of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigor, pride, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God, or emphasizing the letter of law at the expense of the spirit.

Wow!
Did you get all that?

One reason fundamentalist Christians are so resented is-
– quite frankly, because some fundamentalists have added words to Scripture.

Well-intentioned people feel there is a need to add to Scripture and not trust Scripture to be enough.

Throughout the years, we have seen certain legalisms permeate many denominations.

Every denomination grabs hold of certain legalisms with the best of intentions.

Of course, there are no greater legalists today than the secular legalists who espouse political correctness.

They have become the modern day Gestapo-
– when it comes to enforcing select legalisms of their choice.

Understand that man-made legalisms are an insult to God and to His Word.

It’s like saying the Bible is incomplete-
– and we have the knowledge to correct the scriptures with added insight on what is right and wrong.

In fact, we are getting into some very scary territory when we do that.

God’s Word plainly says:
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6.